Ducks Lose Season Opener on Late Penalty Kick

Shannon McLeary ruined any hopes of a tie or a victory by the Fontbonne Academy soccer team. The North Quincy sharpshooter provided the game's lone goal, capitalizing on a penalty kick with 5:26 remaining in the second half as the Red Raiders handed the Ducks a tough 1-0 defeat in Friday afternoon's season opener at Teal Field.

With the loss, the Ducks fell to 0-1-0 and will aim to regroup in Monday's home opener against Malden in another non-league contest.

Despite the loss, coach Paul Piotrowicz was more than pleased with his team's efforts.

"The first 20 minutes, we looked a little flat,'' said Piotrowicz. "But then we came out aggressive at the end of the first half and into the second. We had our share of opportunities, but we didn't get the breaks and we just couldn't capitalize on our chances. We easily could've earned a point or even a win, if a couple of bounces had gone our way."

In the game's opening minutes, the Red Raiders established control, creating quality scoring opportunities. Off a cross from Danielle Paschal, McLeary maneuvered around a pair of defenders and fired a shot the Duck defense, but the ball sailed wide off the far post.

Minutes later, off a scrum at the middle of the field, McLeary broke free and blasted a shot from inside the box that Duck goalkeeper Nicole Derba snatched in midair.

"Our defense did a nice job containing their offensive attack throughout the game,'' said Piotrowicz. "(Kelly Staples), one of our senior captains was a huge contributor in deflecting their shots and limiting their scoring opportunities. I was extremely proud of our effort, and between our defense and goalkeeping, they all had a great performance"

Late in the first half, the Red Raiders nearly struck for the game's first goal. Off another cross from Jillian Carchedi, McLeary emerged on a breakaway opportunity, only to have her shot sail inches over the crossbar.

"We still have some work to do, but the girls hung in there and persevered,'' said Piotrowicz. "North Quincy is a tough team, but I thought we played a pretty even game with them. It was just unfortunate that they were able to get that goal late in the game."

Early in the second half, the Ducks created several prime opportunities. Off a loose ball in the middle of the field, Skye Ellement emerged from a scrum and broke free . Moments before launching a shot from point blank range, an official's whistle blew the play dead as a result of an off-sides call.

"That was a tough call on us,'' said Piotrowicz. "I don't think that was even off-sides, and it should've been called. But he called it, and there's not much you could do."

On another opportunity, Ellement outfoxed a defender and appeared to be tripped outside the box as the ball skirted out of bounds, but the play resulted in a Red Raider throw in.

With the Ducks on the defensive end, the Red Raiders initiated four corner kicks, in a span of five minutes. On an attempted defensive clear, the ball unintentionally grazed the forearm of a Duck defender. As a result, the Red Raiders were awarded a penalty kick as McLeary calmly delivered a low shot that eluded Derba's right side for the 1-0 lead.

"It was unfortunate that they were awarded the penalty kick,'' said Piotrowicz. "It was unintentional, and I didn't think a penalty call was warranted, but we didn't get a lot of breaks."

In the final minutes, the Ducks initiated one more scoring rush as Ellement nearly connected on a through ball, but a Red Raider defender deflected the attempted shot wide.

"The girls feel bad, but we'll get over it,'' said Piotrowicz. "We're already looking forward to our next game"